Simion R. Stefan, Mentalist Romanian mentalist, mind reading for corporate events, weddings and parties

Very little. For close-up mentalism nothing is needed at all, Simion simply moves between your guests. For a stage show he brings his own wireless microphone and only needs to connect it to the venue's sound system, plus a chair or two for volunteers from the audience.

The address, the arrival time and a contact person on the day, plus who looks after the sound system so the microphone can be connected and tested before guests arrive. It also helps to know a little about the people in the room: who the hosts are, the couple or the guest of honour, and anyone who would enjoy being part of the show. This is what makes every moment feel personal.

Simion brings his own wireless microphone, which connects to the venue's PA. He does not bring speakers or lighting, so for a stage show the venue or event organiser provides the sound system. Normal room lighting works perfectly, nothing special is required.

Close-up mentalism needs no dedicated space, it happens right among your guests. For a stage show, a small clear area at the front of the room is enough, where Simion and one or two volunteers can stand and be seen by everyone.

One of the most special moments was at a corporate conference in Bucharest, where I was asked to create a short piece of mentalism together with the company's managing director, just before her keynote speech. The moment was built around the message she wanted to deliver, so when she stepped up to speak, the whole room already felt it. I love it when a performance is not just entertainment, but becomes part of what the event is trying to say.

Corporate events are my favourite. I love the challenge of a room full of people who arrive expecting a normal evening or a serious conference, and leave talking about something they cannot explain. What I enjoy most is when the performance connects to what the company wants to say, a theme, a value or a message from the leadership, so the moment becomes part of the event, not just entertainment between speeches.

I have been performing as a mentalist in Romania for years, at corporate events, product launches, conferences, weddings, christenings and private parties, as well as in my own shows. Over time my work also reached audiences through television and online, and many people in Romania now recognise my voice before they see my face. Performing in the UK is a new chapter, and I am excited to bring the same experience to audiences here.

I do not use cards, props or tricks on a table. Everything I do comes from reading people: a look, a pause, the words someone chooses without thinking. That makes every performance different, because every audience is different. I also never arrive with a fixed routine. Before the event I ask about the people who will be there, so the moments I create feel personal and stay with your guests long after the evening ends.

A mentalist creates the impression of reading minds. Instead of making objects disappear, I work with what people think, feel and remember: a name they have in mind, a choice they made in secret, a memory from their past. It is part psychology, part performance, and it always involves your guests directly, which is why people remember it long after the event.

Yes. I am Romanian and perform in both Romanian and English, so I am a natural choice for Romanian community events, weddings and parties in the UK, as well as for mixed audiences where some guests speak one language and some the other.

There is almost no setup. I arrive around 30 minutes before the start to meet the organiser and test the microphone with the venue's sound system. Close-up mentalism usually runs for one to two hours while I move between guests. A stage performance can be a short moment of 10 to 15 minutes, for example to open a conference or surprise a couple, or a full show of around 30 minutes. Everything can be adjusted to fit your schedule.

Yes. Close-up mentalism works beautifully outdoors, at garden parties, drinks receptions or summer weddings, with nothing needed except your guests. For a stage moment outside, I just need a sound system to connect my microphone to and some cover in case of rain.

Most often they tell me their guests could not stop talking about it afterwards. People say it felt impossible but also very personal, because the moments were about them and the people they love. Many say they expected a magic act and ended up with something much more emotional.

Completely. I never arrive with a fixed routine. Before the event I ask about the people who will be there, the hosts, the couple, the guest of honour, or the message a company wants to deliver, and I build the moments around them. For corporate events the performance can be linked to a theme or a speech, and for weddings and private parties it becomes a personal surprise for the people at the centre of the day.

Never. Nobody is forced to take part, and I can tell very quickly who would love to be involved and who prefers to watch. The aim is for every volunteer to look and feel great in front of the others. People usually leave the moment smiling and telling everyone what just happened to them.

No rehearsal or preparation is needed on your side. What helps me most is knowing who will be in the room: the hosts, the couple or the guest of honour, close family and friends, or for a company event, the message or theme you want to highlight. A few details are enough for me to make the moments personal.

Yes, and these are some of my favourite moments. We talk beforehand about the person and the story between you, and I create a moment around it that leads naturally to the big question or the surprise. It can be intimate, just the two of you, or in front of family and friends.